The dovecotes of Diyarbakir: the surviving examples of a fading tradition

Dovecotes, with their remarkable appearance and various silhouettes, can be observed in several parts of the world. For centuries, human beings have continued the tradition of building dovecotes for a variety of purposes. The present study first provides an outline of the historical development of dovecotes worldwide. Then, surviving examples of these buildings in the environs of Diyarbakir are described from an architectural perspective. Building characteristics such as space structures, locations relative to water sources or topography and differences from dovecotes in other parts of the world are examined. The components of the buildings are analysed with an emphasis on construction techniques and materials. The results of the study indicate that these buildings, 91.5% of which have fallen into disrepair in the last three decades, are part of the international cultural heritage and that conservation programmes should be designed to protect them.